And on Monday, in a move that will dismay the Anfield faithful, the player's father-in-law - who lives on the outskirts of Barcelona - suggested Suarez was ready to make the switch.

Speaking on Spanish TV, Gustavo Balbi said: "Luis has nothing left to prove in England. It'd be the right time to move to Spain,"

"It doesn't matter whether it's one team or the other (Madrid or Barcelona). He will not go to another team in England out of respect for Liverpool."

Balbi, father of Suarez's wife Sofia, lives in Castelldefels, on the coast just west of the city, and the family plays a huge part in the striker's decision-making process.

Sources closes to the Liverpool forward's agent Per Guardiola - who retains strong links to the Nou Camp - said last night that no decision has been made on his future, but they hinted he was waiting until after the World Cup finals to gauge the level of intent from both Barcelona and Madrid.

Suarez DOES have a release clause in his new contract, signed six months ago and worth a staggering £12m a year, but it is a complicated one which has no set release fee.

He will though, be allowed to speak to any foreign club with genuine Champions' League ambition, and both Spanish clubs obviously meet that criteria.

So far, Liverpool have remained relaxed about the situation, despite recognising the clear danger of a repeat of last season's farce when Arsenal tried to trigger a release clause.

Boss Brendan Rodgers had talks with the player at the end of the season, and was reassured Suarez was happy at Anfield and didn't want to move.

Liverpool confirmed, too, they have had no bids or even enquiries about the striker, despite expressing their own interest in Barcelona's forward Alexis Sanchez.

The Chile international though, could ultimately prove the key to any deal, because Rodgers is a huge fan, and any deal that saw the World Cup sensation arrive at Anfield along with a sizeable £60m-plus transfer fee for Suarez would provoke serious thought for the Anfield hierarchy, despite their desire not to sell at this stage.